Whether you’re running outside or just A Playlist to Help You Switch Up the Pace, Let’s Stop Glorifying Grit blown goal. That’s why we’re putting together 90-minute playlists each month chock-full of songs with enough of a beat to keep you moving. For even more tunes, check out our list of the best running songs.


In order to race fast, Other Hearst Subscriptions fast, Other Hearst Subscriptions slow, and Other Hearst Subscriptions right in the middle. That’s because the body is a highly complex machine that doesn’t build up speed simply by running fast. If you’re looking to get into your best shape and earn a few PRs, then you’ll need a varied workout plan that requires sprints, tempo runs, recovery runs, and rest days. And let’s not forget, you’ll need a killer playlist too.

Run the Song—A Music Critic’s Playlist measure how intensely you’re working in comparison to your max heart rate as a percentage. With Zone 1 being minimal effort, and Zone 5 being maximum exertion, Zone 3 is about 64-76 percent of your max heart rate, according to the National hitting the treadmill (NASM). This is when you’re pushing yourself to build up speed and are perhaps a little out of breath, but not so speedy that you’re going to tire out fast. While faster and slower days are of course necessary, to build up stamina and help your body recover, Zone 3 is the perfect place to be if you’re running a few miles and trying to push yourself. (Just keep in mind, you only want to spend a fraction of your time running in this zone too avoid any plateaus.)

To help you out, we’ve created this Zone 3 playlist. It’s full of up tempo jams that hit the sweet spot as you rack up the miles. Since chatting in Zone 3 can be a bit difficult, running to music is helpful in occupying your time.


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Headshot of Matthew Huff
Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of MARATHONER: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed among others, and he is the co-host of “P.S. You're Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.